Page 58 of Scores Of The Heart

“Sounds good to me.”

“I’ll see you then.” He grabs his equipment bag and takes off. I glance at my watch. It’s ten to five, so I make my move. Hoping she hasn’t left early for the day.

And like the stalker I am, but don’t want to believe, I wait outside the staff entry door for her to come out and walk to her vehicle.

Nothing like inserting yourself into someone’s pathway. This is what I’ve resorted to.

Again, I know I could just ask her out. I know she wants to see me again. But there’s nothing like spontaneity.

I thrive on that shit.

So I lean back on the side of the stadium wall and wait with my arms folded across my chest.

Looking up at the graying sky above me. I hope it doesn’t decide to belt it down with rain.

I mean, I’d probably still stand here and wait, but I’d rather not get drenched if I can help it.

Sure enough, a few minutes after five, the office girls start to pile out. I glance at my cell while casually glancing up each time someone walks by. Finally, I see her colleague Andrea, followed by Cindy. She doesn’t see me until I jut forward and reach out to touch her arm.

I know it’s taking a risk, but no one else but Andrea seems to notice. The other office staff are already heading off to the carpark.

Cindy gasps when she sees me, holding her hand to her heart.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” I say.

Andrea is just staring at me with wide eyes, as both girls look at each other, then both back to me again.

“I just had to ask Cindy something,” I say, lamely. “Work related, of course.”

“Don’t mind us,” I hear Simon’s very distinctive voice behind us. Now he’s stepped out of the building. He loops his arm into Andrea’s and tugs her forwards. “You ask away.”

They both smile conspiratorially. Andrea finally seems to get over the shock of seeing me outside the building waiting for her friend, and they both scuttle off in front of us.

Cindy lingers back, smiling, pressing her lips together at the same time.

I wait until they’re both out of earshot.

“I really didn’t mean to scare you,” I start.

She shakes her head. “It’s totally fine. I was just surprised, that’s all.”

“I wanted to see you. I figured I couldn’t exactly stop by your office.”

“I guess not,” she laughs nervously. “I wouldn’t have minded, but you know how it is.”

I lean back on the building for a moment as she looks up at me.

I swallow from the intensity of her dark eyes. They keep pulling me in and sucking me under. Does she have any idea?

“Prying eyes.” I nod, glancing up at the sky. It still looks like it’s going to bucket it down.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” I say, pushing off the building now that everyone has left for the day and it’s just us.

“You know security footage would still see us talking,” she says as we walk.

I chuckle to myself. “That’s true, but we can’t get shot for talking, right?”

She shrugs. “I need to refresh my memory on the rules tomorrow.”

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